Important Points to Remember:

While social media allows you to communicate directly with your clients, a website is the first impression users get of your company when they search online.

A Google My Business listing increases the visibility of your business information in search results, but it lacks the level of personalization and control that a website provides.

In a way that company listings can’t, a website makes it easier for you to stand out from the crowd.

Small company entrepreneurs have never had it easier – or more crucial – to establish an online presence. “Can my small business get by with just a Google My Business listing or do I need a website?” is a common question we get.

Despite the fact that small business owners are busy and want to streamline their marketing as much as possible, you still need a website.

Here are seven reasons why having a website is crucial to the success of a small business:

1- Small businesses must have their own website, according to consumers.

It’s 2021, and having a website for your business is just as important as having a phone number. According to one study, 70% of consumers believe that having a website is critical for a small business. According to another study, 30% of people will not even consider doing business with a company that does not have a website. Another study indicated that 68 percent of consumers believe that every small business, not just a website, should have a blog.

People are accustomed to looking up information about a firm they are interested in on the internet. Having a customised website allows you to give customers a sneak peak inside your business before they walk through the door. Your small company website can feature multimedia, sell products, tell your narrative, link to social media accounts, give contact information, and much more. It’s entirely up to you what your website looks like.

Customer expectations are important. Don’t let them down before they even arrive, since without a website, some of them will never turn up.

A website is vital for a small business, according to 70% of consumers.

To give your customers a sense of authenticity, consider incorporating high-quality photographs and video, testimonials, employee bios, and your company’s history on your website.

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2- Having a Website Gives You an Advantage in the Market

A website is used by little over half of all small businesses. If you don’t have a website but your competition does, a potential consumer can go to their website and learn practically everything they need to know.

The prospective customer can read their thorough “About Us” page and view a video from the owner on your competitor’s website. Customers will be able to subscribe your competitor’s newsletter or read customer testimonials. They might be able to fill out a contact form, make an appointment, or figure out how much a service will cost. They might even make a purchase.

On your competitor’s site, they’ll be able to accomplish all of this and more. You’ll be losing out on all those fantastic opportunities to serve and satisfy your consumers if you merely have a Google My Business listing. Not to mention the prospect of acquiring their contact information in order to stay in touch with them and encourage them to return.

3- Creating a simple website is simple.

The process of creating a website was considerably more difficult even a few years ago than it is now. You’d have to employ a designer and a programmer, as well as figure out how to acquire a domain, point it to a server, set up and maintain security, and so on. Making your own website is now a breeze if you can handle something as complicated as filing your taxes.

A website builder is definitely the best fit for your small business if you don’t require a complex site. Website builders are simple to use and will assist you in swiftly creating a site. It lets you drag and drop text and photos into templates without having to know how to code. Some website builders offer a domain name, hosting, and other features for a low monthly charge, making them budget-friendly.

Google makes it simple to create GMB listings, but you can do the same with your own website. You already have the elements of a website if you have all of the information and photos you needed to create your listing.

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4- A website serves as a central hub for all of your marketing efforts.

Google My Business, a Facebook page (and possibly other social media accounts), business listings, and other elements of your internet approach are likely to be included. However, it’s critical that all of your projects are linked to one central location: your website. Your marketing strategies will be ineffective if you don’t have a website. There is no single location where you have complete control over your brand’s appearance and feel, as well as its voice.

This holds true for both your online and offline marketing initiatives. Everything your customers interact with should include your website, from business cards to brochures to in-store materials and more. Give them a convenient location to go to if they want more information. All roads should lead back to your house!

Keep your website current with important information and link it to all of your internet properties (Google My Business, Facebook, Instagram, business listings, etc). Use the places where your brand is visible as a way to direct consumers to your website for a complete brand experience. Typos should be avoided at all costs, especially on printed materials.

5- You don’t have complete control over your Google My Business listing that belongs to Google.

Google My Business listings are a central location where you can collect and manage reviews, add your business to Google Maps, and help people discover more about your company. Without a doubt, Google My Business listings are an invaluable resource for small businesses. We strongly advise you to create your own listing and optimise it to its full potential.

On the other hand, Google has a history of “improvising” some of its products on the fly. Anyone who works in local SEO will tell you that Google is always modifying which aspects appear in search results, including how the Google My Business listing programme works.

If Google finds something in your profile that they don’t like, they have the power to remove your Google My Business listing. If you follow the regulations, that is unlikely to happen, but it might, and it can be costly to a small firm. Furthermore, your competitors may be able to change your Google My Business listing, which is an obvious concern to keep in mind and track.

So, as beneficial as Google My Business is, keep in mind that you do not have complete control over your Google My Business listing. Google is one of them.

Screenshot of Estate Land Marketing Google My Business Page:

6- Google My Business isn’t for everyone.

While Google My Business is a quick and easy way to gather important information about a business (especially on mobile), clients sometimes need additional information to make a decision. Customers won’t be able to learn more about your company if you don’t have a website, and you won’t be on their radar.

While Google has the majority of the search engine market share, other popular search engines such as Bing cannot be dismissed. A well-optimized website can appear in multiple search engines, but a Google My Business listing will only appear on Google.

There are also other business listings that you can utilize. Make sure your information is accurate and up-to-date, and that you list your relevant business directories.

7- A website has far more capabilities than a Google My Business listing.

Google My Business listings are limited to the fields Google gives and are not entirely customisable. You can accomplish almost whatever you want with a website. Even drag-and-drop website designs are configurable, allowing them to reflect all aspects of your business in a way that a GMB listing cannot.

Websites provide useful features that might aid in the growth of your company. Here are a few examples:

• Newsletter subscriptions
• Business data in great detail
• Purchases made directly (including gift cards)
• Scheduling appointments
• Submission of a job application
• Multimedia with a distinct brand
• Stories about businesses, founders, and employees
• Social media links
• Blog is an optional feature.

Conclusion

Google My Business listings are crucial to your whole web strategy. A website, on the other hand, is the foundation of a successful plan and the glue that holds it all together. A website serves as the public face of your company as well as a direct line to your customers. It allows you to inform, excite, engage, and stay in touch with both new and old customers.

Building a website has never been easy or more economical. It gives you a much-needed competitive edge because your customers anticipate it. To enhance your exposure and promote your business, use a website in conjunction with all of your marketing initiatives.

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